We dropped a set in our weight training, the Tuesday before we maxed.
I couldn’t push up the final rep.
Neither could Dust.
It felt like failure.
Had we allowed our feelings to guide us,
the very last day of the year,
The goal set before us,
would have been wasted, and defeated.
That’s the enemy’s agenda.
But God,
Who is rich, in mercy, and strength,
By His Grace, called us to do it again.
Not only did I max that day in weightlifting, I also surpassed my distance run from the previous year.
I wouldn’t have done both, had I not submitted to my husband’s leadership to weight train as well.
That’s the thing about Grace.
It does more than you can think to accomplish in your own strength.
In our natural thinking, we settle.
Grace, for me, came in the form of someone else calling me higher.
Doesn’t Jesus do that with us?
We may be doing good, but He cheers us on-
to do, greater!
That’s who He is.
Greater is He that is in us.
We can make excuses-
And stay with what’s comfortable.
Not that running is comfortable, but I enjoy it.
It’s like your Grace gift.
Something that God has put in your heart to accomplish, that isn’t necessarily easy, but you enjoy it.
On the other hand, I despise lifting weights.
That’s like character building.
That’s actually working out, by resistance, the muscle that’s been under the surface the whole time.
Fruit-yielding, if you will-
It’s conforming to Jesus’ likeness, while using your gift.
So many have been hurt by people who have had a gift in ministry and yet, didn’t develop in the fruit of the Spirit.
I’ve been one hurt by, and I have also been the one to hurt others, because of the lack of the fruit of His Spirit being cultivated.
Not the lack of the fruit.
Make no mistake-
All the Seed was already sown!
What Jesus deposited in our Spirit was all of Him.
He reminded me a few days ago, that He has OVERPAID for any debts.
Where we seem to lack, there has already been more than enough payment made.
Thank you Jesus!
Thank you. Thank you. Jesus!
It’s just a matter of us understanding and applying what we’ve been given.
Consider this a call to Higher today.
Maybe you’ve dropped a set.
Spiritually. Physically. Emotionally. Relationally.
Do it again.
Allow Grace to max out the potential Jesus paid for.
I believe this was a bar raised for 2023.
Not just for my family, but His.
We are called to both gifting and Character development.
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Psalm 119:32
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13
ThankFully Restored 